Strikeforce signs middleweight Joey Villasenor to four-fight deal

http://mmajunkie.comStrikeforce has signed former PRIDE fighter and one-time top EliteXC middleweight contender Joey Villasenor (27-6 MMA, 2-1 SF) to a four-fight deal.

The Greg Jackson-trained fighter made the announcement via Twitter on Thursday.

Villasenor, a 34-year-old who previously fought three times under the Strikeforce banner, enters the organization with a four-fight win streak and five victories in his past six bouts.

No debut date or opponent was announced, though Villasenor said he plans to fight three times this year.

Villasenor fought twice under the Strikeforce banner when his former home, the now-defunct EliteXC promotion, co-promoted shows in June 2006 (a title loss to Murilo “Ninja” Rua) and March 2008 (a KO win over UFC vet Ryan Jensen). Most recently, he competed at a June 2009 “Showtime Challengers” event and topped veteran Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos via split decision.

A former King of the Cage champion, Villasenor had his most impressive run from 2002 to 2006, when he posted a career-high 15-fight win streak. Then, after a lackluster 2-3 run, he posted his current four-fight win streak.

The well-rounded Villasenor has posted 21 stoppages (11 via knockout and 10 via submission) among his 27 career wins.

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